The ACL has just become aware of a letter by ACT Chief Minister Ms Gallagher in which she declined the Speaker of the House Vicki Dunne’s invitation to a church service to mark the beginning of the Assembly’s 2013 year on 11th of February at St Paul’s church in Manuka.

Ms Gallagher said “Members have been able to maintain a secular approach to our practice and tradition” and at the end of the letter stated “Should the Assembly actually be presented with an opportunity to express its view on this matter I can confirm that the Labor MLA’s would not support it or any other attempt to alter the secular character of our Legislative Assembly.”

ACL’s Managing Director Jim Wallace said it was disappointing for those in the ACT who had a Christian faith that Ms Gallagher declined to attend a ceremony that would be important to those who believe that the our society stands out as a civil one because of its Christian fundamentals, and would want to see Christ continue to bless and preserve it.